3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive review of Sha Tin races.
RACE 1 - IRIS HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 - Turf 'A' Course – Distance 2000m – Track Good
Time: 2:01.07 Standard Time: 2:01.95 Course/Class Record: 2:00.37
Winner: BLASTOISE (AUS 5yo g Ambidexter – Lifting) has been a very consistent galloper for trainer David Ferraris, bags win three from start 17 here and a nice lift again second up for the season and resuming with a solid third at Happy Valley on October 7. He was kept quite busy last term, raced 13 times in finding success twice around another six minors so a horse connections just love taking to the races. After jumping well he was straight into the trail today and with claiming apprentice Jerry Chau easing his weight from 126lb to 116lb he was always going to be a hard horse to beat. Jerry was quick to switch off the rail around the turn and despite him needing to keep the gelding up to his work they never looked like pegging him back. A cheap yearling, just $A25,000 at the Magic Millions Adelaide Sale in 2017.
Runner-up: VINCY wound up centre track like he would win the race at the 300m but Zac Purton could not get that final urgency out of the horse to wear the former down. He remains without a win in Hong Kong after 22 starts now since arriving as a two-race winner out of Ireland in 2017. He has been consistent enough to remain in Class 3 his entire career in Hong Kong and still a dozen or so points off a drop to Class 4, so things do not get a lot easier in the short term.
Run Of The Race: STIMULATION did some nice work late from the tail of the field to run fourth, nearly third. A bit of a dour old fight up the straight this race.
Disappointment: GOD OF DRAGON was well beaten as the strongly supported $3.00 favourite, sat outside the leader and when asked to get rolling by Joao Moreira the response was not there. A previous winner over 2000m at Sha Tin so no excuses regarding the distance. Vetted, no findings.
Comparison: Deceivingly quick, nearly a second under standard so they were not messing about on the 'A' track. Looking for some quick times today base don this.
Market Mover: GOD OF DRAGON $3.90 to $3.00, CLEMENT LEGEND $17.10 to $11.10
RACE 2 - VIOLET HANDICAP, HK $750,000
Class 5 – Rating 40-0 - Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.41 Standard Time: 1:09.90 Course/Class Record: 1:09.24
Winner: PLIKCLONE (NZ 5yo g Burgundy – Aventura) goes back-to-back for trainer David Hall and rider Blake Shinn after finding success over 1400m on this track back on October 4. Seemingly no issue in dropping back to 1200m this time, nor a five-pound rise in weight, the son of former quality galloper Burgundy was clearly superior again in Class 5, never closer than three w-de the entire distance from a wider gate and on them quickly around the home turn. He maintained a really good gallop right through the line and looks like a horse that can return to Class 4 and make a dent there. He was never close in nine attempts in that grade when he arrived in HK but is a better horse now. Nice success for Blake Shinn who has not visited the winners circle too often in this campaign, but he is slowly gaining momentum.
Runner-up: ONE STEP AHEAD scooted off the fence around the turn and made up a few lengths in a hurry from well back, found a little traffic trouble briefly then kicked hard for home. A nice follow up to his third placing behind Plikclone on October 4 in registering a very similar result. Another horse finding his best form after a stretch of misses in Class 4 when he first arrived. He is well placed to win down in the weights in Class 5.
Run Of The Race: Hard to argue against the winner. PLIKCLONE was never closer than three deep and not really with any great cover so his win was terrific in being so dominant over the concluding stages. GREEN ENVY came from a long way back to grab fourth money
Disappointment: Favourite TELECOM MISSILE was quickly up on speed and challenged on the turn like he would offer something. Halfway down the straight it was all over, nothing left in the tank.
Comparison: Again tidy, a half-second under the standard on a track just perfect.
Market Mover: PLIKCLONE $12.70 to $6.40, BELLA BABY $11.60 to $7.20
RACE 3 - LILY HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.02 Standard Time: 1:09.25 Course/Class Record: 1:08.45
Winner: RHAPSODY (AUS 4yo g Hinchinbrook – Teasing) was the big betting plunge of the day and punters rejoiced with a short-half-head victory heavily backed $22 to $6.90. Karis Teetan was great in guiding the Aussie-bred home, sat him third line on the fence after settling and quickly seized the moment to angle outward off the home turn with plenty of horse under him. He dashed up to win easily then needed to find some resolve to hold out a charging favourite late, the winning post coming soon enough. So, where did all the support come from? He had trialled up really nicely at Conghua prior to making his season's debut when peaking very late n his run at Sha Tin, finishing seventh. An inside gate today was he needed. Mum was a speed horse, winning nine times from 1000m to 1110m so getting a lot further than 1200m could be questionable.
Runner-up: MY SUGAR was wide and seeking cover, finally got in one-off but had to make his move soon after so he never really found a rhythm. Big finish off the back of all that to take favourite punters close and on the day very brave. Nice horse this, he's a big boy and does give the impression another furlong would suit him down to the ground. Jimmy Ting will enjoy a good season of racing with this son of Deep Field.
Run Of The Race: MY SUGAR was very good, HELAKU KNIGHT and MASTER ALBERT were both powering home nicely from well back, the latter of that pair from last and sharp out very wide in his return to Class 4. If Chris So can get Jerry Chau to stick with him he is going to win in this grade again soon with that weight allowance. He was clocked in 21.99 his last 400m, easily the best. CHARITY GRACE ran 11th in 22.11, worth remembering.
Disappointment: ONE HAPPY STAR was well favoured, set the pace and had a nice lead but could not offer the resistance under pressure today.
Comparison: A shade under standard, not so much tempo this time. That made it difficult for the back runners, quite the sprint home.
Market Mover: RHAPSODY $22.10 to $6.00
RACE 4 - ROSE HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:21.88 Standard Time: 1:21.85 Course/Class Record: 1:20.80
Winner: SPEED FAY FAY (AUS 4yo g Hinchinbrook – Willow) wins a thriller and grabs a race-to-race winning double for high achieving sire Hinchinbrook after Rhapsody's victory a half-hour earlier. What a race this became. This horse would sit one-one and make his run off the corner in looking very likely, then found it tough to reel the two inside him back in. They kicked all the way down this long straight at Sha Tin and two noses separated leader, co-leader, and this fellow. Wider, three others were within a half-neck of victory in an amazing conclusion to this. Win one from start 10 for this horse, he's hinted this could be a better season when getting through the line nicely not only in a trial, then first up on October 11 and certainly came on from that. Only an extremely late lunge under the urgings of Chad Schofield got them home in a pleasing result for Benno Yung and connections. More to come from this horse, a mile looks suitable.
Runner-up: MERCURIAL would not lay down. He led and was under severe siege around the home bend with a multitude of runners there to strike. An excellent show of fortitude in just his second race day start, the son of Hussonet a cheap yearling of just $20,000 in Australia before winning a trial and exported. Good sign of things to come from this handy looking sort.
Run Of The Race: Plenty of top runs in this race. MERCURIAL grand under pressure, KASI FARASI never closer than three, and sometimes four-deep the trip and beaten well under a length. DIAMOND RYHME outside leader and beaten two small noses huge at 53/1. FAST PACE dashing home, should have won, another two strides and he does.
Disappointment: MORE THAN ENOUGH was disappointed for galloping room in behind the leading trio all the way down the home straight and never got his chance to get into the clear and sprint. Could not condemn on tis run.
Comparison: Moderate time as far as the day had been previously. They sprinted hard off the corner and thus the front trio were first, second, and third separated by about two-inches.
Market Mover: KASI FARASI $5.80 to $3.10, SPEED FAY FAY $13.00 to $9.10
Fined: Chad Schofield (SPEED FAY FAY) $7000 for weighing in 2lb overweight.
RACE 5 - LILY HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:08.98 Standard Time: 1:09.25 Course/Class Record: 1:08.45
Winner: SOARING TOWER (NZ 4yo g Charm Spirit – Key To Success) makes a big splash on debut, in different circumstances and style to that of Courier Wonder a week ago, but not a lot less impressive. Trainer Chris So had this son of Charm Spirit, a three-time Group One winner in France and the UK, in grand order to make his race day debut. He showed a lot of promise last season before So tipped him out for a spell and returned with a very tidy second in his lone trial in the lead up to this. Sold for $NZ250,000 through the NZ Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale in 2018, this horse has been patiently handled, obviously with good cause. He has got a seriously big motor and Zac Purton found that out today. A long way off them, back and wide making his run, the response was that of a good horse, quickly upon them when urged and running right away from them at the line. The only surprise the price, $5.00 a big spoil for those who noticed him - $7.80 to that price late.
Runner-up: PEGASUS GLORY dictated the terms outside leader, strolled to the front off the home turn and looked the winner, briefly. That was until the debutant strode up centre-track and made it a chase home for second money. Three starts for a win ad two fine placings in a grand start to his career, the Wandjina gelding a product of the 2018 Gold Coast Yearling Sale then onto Adam Duggan to trial on three occasions before export to Hong Kong. Consistency is already his forte and will continue to be. He looks determined.
Run Of The Race: SOARING TOWER laps these, super performance. Already keen to see him have a crack at Courier Wonder – mouth-watering stuff.
Disappointment: The well supported AMAZING ROCKY wasn't terrible by any means but most underestimated the winner here so these horses will reset and bounce back.
Comparison: They break standard and the 1:09 barrier so genuinely run in a field that did not offer extreme pace on the map.
Market Mover: SOARING TOWER $7.80 to $5.00
RACE 6 - ROSE HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:21.45 Standard Time: 1:21.85 Course/Class Record: 1:20.80
Winner: AUTHENTIC CHAMP (AUS 5yo g Star Witness – Considerable) has punters cheering again, another big tote mover saluting on a day where the best-backed runners have proven rather successful. This one was 9/1 into nearly half that and strongly fancied t improve on a ninth and fifth in two previous outings this term, both at Happy Valley. No success in five race starts before today but a good hint of what was to come on October 7 when he made up plenty of ground from the rear of the field over 1200m around the tighter Valley circuit. Shown clear air out wide today he gunned home super powerfully (22.12) to win going away under a confident Vincent Ho who is making riding winners look easy right now. Jimmy Tings continues a good day after earlier placings with My Sugar and Pegasus Glory. Patience pays, this horse was trialling in June 2018 and picks up his first win some 30 months on.
Runner-up: HALL OF CHAMP came with the winner and looked a real chance 300m out but he had to bow to the superior finish over the concluding stages. Middle of the track and wide with cover, this guy was poised to sprint away off that cover and nearly achieved that goal. An encouraging start to his new season after placing just once in nine starts last season for David Hall.
Run Of The Race: AUTHENTIC CHAMP gave them a big start and in the end a big beating so no excuses the rest of them. From last at the home turn WINWIN THIRTYTHREE scooted home well late to grab fourth and continues to race well for Ricky Yiu after breaking through in Class 5 to begin his new season.
Disappointment: Favourite MARVELOUS FANS was a little plain in centre-track, had his chance to run into it and really did not finish it off over the final stages. That was his third start in a month so perhaps he failed to back up. COPARTNER ERA was a bit plain again, a cosy run on the fence, no punch late.
Comparison: Good speed here, particularly through the 600m to home turn period where they got racing. That set the back runners up to motor home.
Market Mover: AUTHENTIC CHAMP $9.80 to $5.50
RACE 7 - ASTER HANDICAP, HK $2,200,000
Class 2 – Rating 105-80 - Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1000m – Track Good
Time: 0:55.26 Standard Time: 0:56.15 Course/Class Record: 0:54.69
Winner: STRONGER (AUS 4yo g Not A Single Doubt – Star Pupil) was a member of John Moore's stable that found his new home with Douglas Whyte in the off-season and Whyte has waited a while to send him around on debut for the team. He had the chestnut in great order first up for five months, two barrier trials at Conghua before re-joining the fray at Sha Tin. He won a Class 3 1000m dash for Moore in February this year after joining him as a winner of the Group 3 Ken Russell Memorial at the Gold Coast in May, 2019 when trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, ridden by Hong Kong resident these days, Blake Shinn. The in-form Vincent Ho the pilot today - he would win on a broomstick. A little urgent not to be too far back from a low draw, Ho was happy fifth or sixth in the middle of the track before getting to work. More to come from this speedy conveyance.
Runner-up: MUTIMILLION showed enormous speed to lead them easily from gate two, Matthew Chadwick barely having to ask for an effort as the five-time 1000m winner blasted across to the outside fence to take command. Carving nearly a full second off standard time he was entitled to get a little tired late.
Run Of The Race: Based on the time some good runs in the race that may not necessarily look so good on paper. MULTIMILLION set the time up with some scorching speed and was great in defeat, nearly holding on. HONG KONG WIN was gallant on the low side of the track from gate one and always working against the grain, gallant in third. MASSIVE POCKET missed the kick and did some nice work inside the final 600m to carry him past several runners. HAPPY FUN ran ninth and was the fastest over the final 400m in 21.78.
Disappointment: WINNING METHOD raced behind the leading division and failed to kick when it was required. Some time since he's tackled the straight 1000m at Sha Tin and it seemed he just never got a chance to take a breath today. Perhaps a return to 1200m will get him back in the groove. GOLD CHEST also disappointed.
Comparison: So slick, MULTIMILLION shows why he had won five times over 1000m before, just blistering his pace early. And he maintained it.
Market Mover: WINNING METHOD $4.90 to $3.00
RACE 8 - THE SA SA LADIES PURSE HANDICAP, HK $3,500,000
Group Three - Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1800m – Track Good
Time: 1:45.91 Standard Time: 1:46.05 Course/Class Record: 1:45.25
Winner: FURORE (NZ 6yo g Pierro – Stormy Choice) was lethal today, a massive step forward from a disappointing run when he resumed over 1600m in the Group 2 Sha Tin Trophy over 1600m on October 18 behind Golden Sixty. To be fair the quality did drop today, EXULTANT aside, as did the tempo up to 1800m and an opportunity for the former Hong Kong Derby winner to get back and relax which really does seem to suit his style of racing – as did new rider Joao Moreira. After that golden run culminating in the Derby it has not been plain sailing since. He switched stables to Tony Cruz earlier this year and was consistent at Group 1 level behind Exultant in the QE11 Cup and Chartered Champions and Chater Cup (2400m). He's an achiever, though at times hard to follow – he did win his first four in a row for Kris Lees in New South Wales before making his way to Hong Kong to win the Derby so hard to knock his record. A good season ahead for him if he continues to show this dash in his step. Looks sharp with blinkers on.
Runner-up: EXULTANT would have thrilled Tony Cruz and Zac Purton with his return to race day, a lovely run from him in a race that was always going to be tough to win with a big weight and ultimately a race that lacked tempo which did not play in his favour. A sprint home is far from his main game so to kick so strongly and fight them all off bar one was fantastic. Another big year ahead.
Run Of The Race: DANCES WITH DRAGONS terrific again from last (race best 22.17 last 400m). This horse is the danger to them in the staying races this season. HO HO KHAN did a nice job from last, snuck along the rail entering the straight and his last 150m was nice work in fifth.
Disappointment: SOUTHERN LEGEND got his own way in front once the sorted that out and it was a little disappointing to see him beaten as early as he was. SAVVY NINE was bland, a good run in transit middle outer and went from jogging to not a lot in two strides.
Comparison: Only a tick under standard, a wee spurt early to find the order up-front then a walk and a crawl until they reached the point of the turn.
Market Mover: SOUTHERN LEGEND $9.50 to $6.70, BUTTERFIELD $25.00 to $15.00
RACE 9 - CAMELIA HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 - Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:08.94 Standard Time: 1:09.05 Course/Class Record: 1:08.31
Winner: KA YING MASTER (AUS 5yo g Snitzel – Make Me Dream) makes it a pair of victories for trainer Benno Yung this season, backing his Class 3 win on October 11 with another smart performance to take this out with a few extra pounds to carry. A fit horse, this being start four for the season and the improvement comes in each run, he was even better today that when he won that race earlier in October. That's four wins in 11 starts and only the handy ones do that. An expensive yearling buy at $A525,000 with a sparkling pedigree, he did have something to prove but hard to knock his endeavours to date. He will remain in Class 3 as he pushes past the 70-point mark and weight is now becoming the question as he finds his way into the top few n the handicap in his grade. On leaders heels and waiting to strike today he was very sharp in kicking away to win quite easily in the end under Vagner Borges.
Runner-up: WINNING FOR ALL terrific in defeat, never on the track and three-wide the trip. He did have some nice cover into the race but had to make his own luck today and was fantastic in running right through the line against a fast lane to his inside. Big hints of what is to come from this horse, just his fourth start in Hong Kong and awaiting his first win after a maiden success in Queensland as 'Battle Strike' for Toby Edmonds. He ran fourth to Alligator Blood in the Gold Edition at listed level at Eagle Farm before making his way to Hong Kong.
Run Of The Race: ROMAN TURBO had to overcome barrier 13 to even become prominent on debut in Hong Kong and he made a real statement in zipping across from out there to share the speed, fighting gallantly into third in a never surrender type run. He was a two-time winner at the Curragh in Ireland, one at Group 3 level so he is no mug. Big things to come if this is anything to go by.
Disappointment: Favourite SCORES OF FUN was soon in front and held the advantage in the race from there but failed to give a kick when needed and battled his way into eighth. Vetted, no findings.
Comparison: Steady no swift, a sprint from the turn after Moreira stacked them up in front.
Market Mover: KA YING MASTER $42.50 to $17.00, YESS CHEONG PEGASUS $9.10 to $4.30
RACE 10 - HEATHER HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 - Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:21.12 Standard Time: 1:21.65 Course/Class Record: 1:20.62
Winner: E STAR (NZ 5yo g Ferlax – Duck For Cover) had many lengths to make up but in a showing of his best form too swift out in centre track for Neil Callan and Manfred Man, the Kiwi-bred registering his fifth win in Hong Kong and peaking perfectly third-up for the term. Away as well as expected he was beyond midfield after settling per his pattern and travelled up nicely into it on the corner to win going away. Interesting that each of his four previous successes were at 1200m so nice progression to win at 1400m for the first time. Now nudging his way towards the top of the handicap in Class 3 off a comfortable 123lb today. Savabeel dam Duck For Cover was unraced.
Runner-up: HEZA BEAUTY darted home after getting well back, took the gaps closer to the inside fence under Alexis Badel in clocking a strong final 800m. He's very consistent, never further back than fifth in 10 starts here and in the top two in three runs this season for John Size. The 1400m is his pet trip but races like he will get a nice mile. This son of Darci Brahma is winning again at any tick of the clock.
Run Of The Race: There were some runs here, led by the top two but do mark down TAKE WHAT YOU NEED as a must follow, trapped three-wide the trip and just wouldn't relent in the run home, yes helped by Jerry Chau's claim, but his run was superior to others who had better runs in the race. A nice draw and he is in business. PURE LEGEND scorched home from well back and looked a next up chance, as too GIFT OF LIFELINE who was also strong through the line.
Disappointment: CHANCHENG PRINCE did not run as well as expected here, nice run middle outer and plain when produced.
Comparison: Half second inside standard, and a half outside record speed so very genuinely run to end a great day's racing on a perfect surface.
Market Mover: ANGEL OF MY EYES $6.50 to$4.10, TRUST ME $25.10 to $15.00